Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to undertake the safety observer role for permits requiring a safety observer. This role may also be called a hole watcher or a fire watcher.
Safety observers can stop permit work, but do not have the authority to restart it.
This unit of competency applies to a member of the work team or an operator who performs this role.
Where the person is safety observer for confined space permit they should also be competent in confined space entry.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element | ||
1 | Prepare for the job | 1.1 | Check the permit issued is appropriate and sufficient for the work to be done |
1.2 | Prepare a rescue/incident response plan in accordance with procedures | ||
1.3 | Check plan is workable within the approved job procedures and issued permit | ||
1.4 | Request revision of job procedures and/or permit to ensure rescue/incident response plan is practical |
2 | Control the permit site | 2.1 | Interpret the hazard controls required by the permit |
2.2 | Check all hazard controls are operational and complied with at all times | ||
2.3 | Maintain constant communication with workers as relevant to the job and permit | ||
2.4 | Control entry to and exit from the worksite in accordance with the requirements of the permit | ||
2.5 | Monitor the environment of the worksite and adjacent areas | ||
2.6 | Monitor scope and location of work as defined by the permit | ||
2.7 | Withdraw permit and shut down worksite if conditions vary from those required by the permit |
3 | Take appropriate action for potential incident | 3.1 | Ensure all required first response equipment is in the location specified by the permit and is in working condition |
3.2 | Ensure all required monitoring is carried out as required by the permit | ||
3.3 | Withdraw permit and shut down worksite in the event of an alarm or monitoring failure | ||
3.4 | Raise the alarm in the event of an incident | ||
3.5 | Implement rescue/incident response plan as required by procedures |
4 | Complete safety observer role | 4.1 | Hand over to oncoming safety observer before leaving role |
4.2 | Complete all required documentation and reports |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:
read and interpret the safety and hazard control requirements of permit conditions
prepare a rescue/incident response plan in accordance with procedures
ensure workable rescue/incident response plan is in place and aligns with procedures and permit conditions
ensure first response equipment is available and in working condition
observe safety and hazard aspects of work activities under the permit and monitor conformance to permit conditions
communicate effectively with team/work group and other personnel to:
explain and implement safety and incident response procedures
explain the requirements of the permit
withdraw or cause work to cease outside permit conditions
control entry to and exit from the job site
handover to oncoming safety observer
speak clearly and unambiguously in the language of the worksite
complete workplace forms and reports.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
organisation procedures, including:
work permit systems
safety, emergency and hazard control
incident response
relevant organisation procedures
hazards that may arise in the job and plant, including:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls
types of permits, what they cover and associated hazards
scope and limitations of own role and responsibilities.
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be achieved before performing this work unsupervised. Therefore this unit will typically be assessed off the job. Where assessment is undertaken on the job appropriate supervision and safety precautions must be provided.
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
The collection of performance evidence:
should provide evidence of the ability to perform over the range of situations which might be expected to be encountered, including typical disruptions to normal, smooth work conditions
must include the use of typical permits and situations
may use industry-based simulation particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Off-the-job assessment must sufficiently reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:
walk-throughs
demonstration of skills
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements Dangerous Goods regulations Hazardous substances regulations Hazardous Substances Information System Major hazard facility requirements if relevant AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces AS 1674 Set-2007, Safety in welding and allied processes (covers all hot work) AS/NZ 1715:2009 Selection use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment National exposure standards for atmospheric contaminants in the occupational environment [NOHSC:1003 (1995)] |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following: permit control system emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant |
Work permits | Work permits include one or more of the following: cold work excavation vehicle entry minor repairs working at heights hot work confined space electrical increased hazard permits covering a single plant or plant area such as might be an operator’s scope of responsibility other relevant permits |
The work permit system | The work permit system includes: types of permits legislative/regulatory/standards framework roles and responsibilities of parties under the permit system specifications for undertaking the work covered by a permit alternative ways of conducting a job |
Work specifications | Work specifications include: any requirements for testing of atmospheric conditions and ventilation safety structures and control measures communications incident response equipment which can and cannot be used |
Safety structures and control measures | Safety structures and controls measures include one or more of the following: isolations lockout/tag out barriers and signage emergency response gas testing/atmosphere monitoring standby person other measures specified in the permit |
Hazards | Hazards include one or more of the following: process isolations incomplete mechanical and electrical isolations not in place atmospheric testing incomplete and atmosphere unsafe smoke, darkness and heat heat, smoke, dust or other atmospheric hazards electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours fire and explosion flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks extreme weather other hazards that might arise |
Sectors
Competency Field
Work control systems